INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CARIBBEAN CONFEDERATION OF CREDIT UNIONS (CCCU)

MEMBERS MATTER MOST.

Fellow Co-operators, Happy International Credit Union Day!!

Caribbean Credit Union members are a part of the more than 196 million persons worldwide, celebrating the Credit Union difference embodied in this Year’s International Credit Union Day theme “Members Matter Most”. For over 150 years, Credit Unions have proudly put people before profit, in order to provide members with access to affordable financial services.

It has been demonstrated time and time again, that those financial institutions which do not put members first, and choose to focus instead on profit or personal motives, are likely to fail and create severe financial crises, as happened in the recent financial meltdown.

Since 1948, the global Credit Union community has come together annually on the third Thursday in October, to commemorate the Credit Union Movement’s history and achievements.

In this specially designated United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, when we celebrate the positive social and economic impact that Co-operatives have on our communities and recognize that Co-operatives Build a Better World, Credit Unions are happy to celebrate their co-operative status and their member centricity.

No matter where we are in the world, access to financial services is vital. Rich or poor, we all face similar challenges in life. Together, Credit Unions are helping members overcome these challenges. Credit Unions play an important role in many depressed urban and rural communities worldwide. Many persons would not be able to afford their homes, start new businesses or attend school without the help of their Credit Unions. In some areas of the world, the only access to financial services is through a Credit Union.

Credit Unions in the Caribbean opened their doors in 1941 with the vision to serve their members. Since then, our goal has always been the same: to meet the financial needs and to provide our members with opportunities that enable them and their families to succeed. With the support of our 2.1 million members, the Caribbean Credit Union sector has grown to US$4.5 billion in assets and US$3.7 billion in Savings, and we hope to continue growing with our Caribbean Community.

As we celebrate International Credit Union Day, let us resolve one member at a time to work to make a difference, in our communities, and Islands, that our Credit Unions can continue serving our members and their families for years to come and indeed walk the talk that “Members Matter Most”.